Minnesota Bluegrass Fall Jam
& Great Minnesota Uke Gathering

Performer Bios & Videos

Smith's Tamarack Trio

Smith's Tamarack Trio – Lynn “Chirps” Smith, Fred Campeau, and Steve Rosen have been playing together since sometime in the mid-1980s when they got together in the Volo Bogtrotters. They play rough and ready authentic old time music often learned during visits with elder musicians from previous generations, as well as from field recordings and 78 RPM records in their own never-ending collections. Their love and respect for traditional music spans many geographic areas of the United States but their particular interest and focus has always been on the old time music of the Midwest. Although the Bogtrotters has been a primary creative outlet over the past four decades, these guys have a special and intuitive musical bond that brings out the best of each of them in this more intimate and laid back trio setting.

The Foxgloves

The Foxgloves are an all-female Americana band from the Twin Cities. Their high energy performances, heartfelt storytelling, four-part harmonies, and unique instrumentation have swept them onto big stages throughout the region, including First Avenue, Big Top Chautauqua, and the Blue Ox Music Festival as the winners of the 2021 Virtual Band Competition. Their first full-length album Mama Was A Bandit was released in September 2022. This powerful band is making moves you’ll want to witness.

Brotherhood of Birds

Brotherhood of Birds (BoB) is a Twin Cities-based, showcase of local talent in the Minnesota progressive acoustic string band community. Their original compositions and cover selections bring together traditional and modern styles. 

After hatching in January 2021, the group released 2 EPs entitled “Caged Vol. 1 & 2”. In the same year they played the historic First Avenue Main Room, Blue Ox Music Festival, Shangri-La Music Festival, and were featured in Bluegrass Standard magazine as well as on 88.5 Bluegrass Saturday Morning. In 2022 they were spotted on on the lineup for Revival, Pickin On Picknic, Boats & Bluegrass, and MBOTMAs August Fest to name a few. In January of 2023 they returned to the Main Room as one of First Avenue’s best new bands of 2022.

Barefoot Bluegrass

Barefoot Bluegrass is an electrifying bluegrass band hailing from Minneapolis, MN. Formed in 2021 by a group of musicians with a deep-rooted love for bluegrass, this ensemble has been captivating audiences with their unique blend of traditional bluegrass melodies and high-energy jamming. Barefoot Bluegrass is known for their tight-knit harmonies and virtuosic instrumentals. With banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and bass played by band members who share an uncanny musical chemistry, their sound is a whirlwind of infectious rhythms and improvisational wizardry. From intimate settings to sprawling festival stages, Barefoot Bluegrass has gained a devoted following for their ability to make every performance an unforgettable, foot-stomping experience. With a commitment to preserving the roots of bluegrass while pushing its boundaries, Barefoot Bluegrass is a band that bridges generations and brings people together through the power of music. So, kick off your shoes and join them on a musical journey that's as authentic as it is exhilarating. Barefoot Bluegrass is Harrison Olk (banjo), Jon Miller (guitar), Nate Hynum (mandolin), Joe Sheehan (bass), and Chris Forsberg (Fiddle). 

Lil Rev

Lil Rev is a Wisconsin Based, award-winning multi-instrumentalist, author, and creator of numerous one man shows. He's best known for his many ukulele and harmonica instructional books for Hal Leonard Corp and tours North America teaching and performing at festivals, music camps, cruise ships, concert series and traditional Arts organizations. He is a dedicated purveyor of old time, bluegrass, pre-war blues, early tin pan alley, roots rock and singer-songwriter material.

Tim Stafford

Grammy Award-winning guitarist, songwriter, author and singer, two-time IBMA Songwriter of the Year, former member of Alison Krauss and Union Station, and founding member of celebrated Bluegrass group Blue Highway. Co-author of Tony Rice's authorized biography, "Still Inside," winner of over 30 IBMA and SPBGMA awards as well as a Dove Award. 

The Waddington Brothers

The Waddington Brothers are a band of four brothers from southwestern North Dakota, who have been playing bluegrass music together since 2004. Their tight blend of brother harmonies and award-winning instrumental finesse makes for a truly authentic, heartfelt, and captivating show. The brothers grew up in a musical family that toured the United States and Canada for many years. They now showcase their well-crafted acoustic sound with a style ranging from hard-driving bluegrass and stirring gospel music to mellow Western numbers reminiscent of Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers. With appearances alongside The Kruger Brothers, Ron Block, and Bobby Hicks to their credit, this powerhouse group has performed at iconic venues such as Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri; “Dakota Air, the Radio Show” on Prairie Public Radio; North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple’s inaugural ball; and SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) in Nashville, Tennessee. It was at the January 2023 SPBGMA Convention that The Waddington Brothers rose to national attention, by winning the prestigious International Bluegrass Band Championship.